Korean Actor Found Guilty of Administering 4.4 Liters of Sedatives During Performance

Yoo Ah-in is a leading South Korean actor, known for his roles in films like Antique and the drama Marriage Not Dating. He has won numerous awards, including the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for The Throne, and enjoys significant popularity in Japan, where he has held multiple fan meetings.

“Yoo graduated from Dongguk University, a prestigious institution in South Korea’s arts scene. He has masterfully played various roles, including a boxer, a genius pianist, and a troublemaker, making him one of the most prominent actors in Korea. Recently, he gained attention for his role as a problematic religious group leader in the Netflix series Hellbound.” (same reporter)

However, Yoo Ah-in was removed from the cast of Hellbound starting from season 2 due to the drug overdose allegations. The role of the executive will now be played by a different actor.

“Due to the types and amounts of drugs he used, Yoo has been compared to ‘South Korea’s Tanaka Kosei’ (who was convicted for drug use). Yoo has long been scrutinized for his unusual behavior. According to Korean media outlet KOREA WAVE, in July 2015, during a screening of the film Veteran, he reportedly said that he watched his own performance in a ‘laughing state.’

When asked by co-stars about the meaning of ‘laughing,’ he allegedly responded, ‘You’re asking difficult questions. The secret to good acting is drugs. I try to relax as much as possible.’ There have been numerous other reports of odd behavior, such as excessively long conversations during TV appearances and excessive sweating.” (sports paper entertainment reporter) 

According to a report by the South Korean broadcaster MBC, the director of the Seoul hospital where Yoo Ah-in was treated repeatedly sent emails warning about excessive use of sedatives and advised against transferring to another hospital due to potential scrutiny. The police have seized medical records from the hospital.

“In response to the police investigation and media reports, Yoo’s side has stated: ‘Yoo Ah-in is said to have symptoms of a phobia of needles and frequently sought sedatives.’ His management agency has announced their willingness to cooperate fully with the investigation, stating, ‘We will respond sincerely to any requests from the police.'” (same source)

Fans both domestic and international are closely watching the verdict for Yoo Ah-in.